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PHILADELPHIA - Momentum apparently has a long shelf life for the Penn heavyweight rowing team. When last the Quakers donned their uniforms, they were posting the program's best finish at IRAs since 2001. On Saturday on home waters of the Schuylkill River, the Red and Blue began the 2012-13 season with another impressive showing at the Navy Day Regatta. The Quakers finished third in three races, and took the top two positions in the pairs race to begin 2012-13 in fine fashion.

The varsity eight improved its finish from last fall by one spot, taking second to Navy in the Open /Collegiate 8+ race. The Quakers and Middies were the only two true contenders in the race, Penn finishing 2.24 seconds behind Navy. The next boat to finish crossed the line 23 seconds later, showing just how dominant the top two finishers were. Penn's B boat came in fifth in the race, crossing in 13:24.05.

The novice 8+ began its career with a solid effort, taking second in the Frosh/Novice 8+ in a time of 13:25.96, while Penn's novice 4+ also snagged second place, navigating the course in 15:00.46. The heavyweights were second to their counterparts on Penn's lightweight team, with the heavyweight B boat taking fourth in 15:09.87.

The morning began with a 1-2 finish for the Quakers in the Open Pairs, the B duo crossing first in a time of 15:23.89 - a dominant 12.08 seconds ahead of the C boat which crossed in 15:35.97.

The Quakers head to Boston next weekend for the prestigious Head of the Charles Regatta.